Q. Deterrence and MAD

For many years Soviet Union and the U.S. engaged in an ever escalating arms-race involving the constant development of more innovative and powerful Nuclear Weapons. The Non-proliferation Treaty helped to slow down this escalation and put in place an agreement that helped to deter those nations without Nuclear Weapons from developing them. Military historians, career servicemen, and laymen have pondered why, with all of this capability that neither of these powers has initiated and attack (first-strike). Is this the result of the policy of mutually assured distraction (MAD)?

In the initial discussion post:

•search the concept of mutually insured destruction (MAD) and describe its role as a deterrent in the prevention of first-strike attacks.

•Discuss the morality of the MAD concept.

•Given the current state of world military affairs, discuss whether this policy can continue to be the cornerstone of our military policy.

•Are there any alternatives other than forging of effective arms control treaties?